Birthing ball - too early?

[Jurassiclover]

Hey guys,

This is probably a bit of a daft question, but is 35 weeks too early for a birthing ball? I inflated mine tonight, sat on it, probably only for about 5 minutes (more to show DP what it was used for as he wasn't sure) bounced very lightly and rotated my hips a little. A little while after I had very intense stomach cramps across my lower stomach and in my hips, they actually made me loose my breath a bit, after about 3 episodes of the pain I went to the toilet and had (tmi sorry) really really bad diarrhea.

Is this maybe a sign I shouldn't use the ball yet and it's too early? Or is it probably just coincidence?

Thanks guys!

I went into labour with DD at 38+ 4 and DS at 39+5 and what they both had in common was that I had spent a fair bit of time on my birthing ball the night before (with DS it was to try and get him to move positions as he was back to back- didn’t work just ended up in early labour that evening). Could just be a co-incidence though!

I’m only 33w and have been sitting on mine in the evening for weeks. I’ve also been using one in a prenatal Pilates class since 12w and when I see a women’s physio for pelvic pain, she recommended I occasionally sit on it during the day in place of my regular desk chair.

They are good at helping your baby get into the optimal position but I don’t think it’s possible for them to put you into labour if it’s not already happening!

I don't think that means it's too early, I've used one since before I was pregnant! They will work muscles you might not otherwise use hence some of the cramps, and they are pretty good at getting your bowels moving so that may explain the diarrhea!

Sorry I didn’t mean to suggest it would put you into labour at 35 weeks! But I do think you can feel effects from using it so it might have had a part to play in the cramps (but maybe you would have had an upset stomach anyway). I don’t think it could put you into early labour if you’re not ready as there are so many women who go past their date who try everything to encourage them out including using the ball. With me I was technically at term so I think it just encouraged things along - it should be safe at 35 weeks though!

I've been using a birthing ball as my office chair since before I was pregnant, so don't worry!
You do have to engage your core and use your muscles on it, so it might have given you some braxton hicks :-)

Ahhh thank you all for reassuring me haha! I was worried I'd done something I shouldn't have! Makes sense that it's probably just braxton hicks! Glad to know I can keep using it because it actually really helped with my hip/back pain at the time haha!